Pompano Beach

Man Drowns After Running from Deputies: BSO

A man who attempted to run away while being questioned by police jumped into a canal and drowned late Sunday, Broward County Sheriff's Office officials said.

Deputies had been conducting extra patrols in the area of McNab Road and Andrews Avenue in Pompano Beach after a string of burglaries there.

Around 11:15 p.m. Sunday night, deputies spotted two men in dark clothing riding bicycles. Police say the bikes had no lights, but the men were carrying flashlights.

"One man had a huge amount of coins in his pocket. He also had a wallet with an I.D. that didn't belong to him," BSO spokeswoman Dani Moschella said. "The other one had a small ladies purse in his waistband."

Deputies began questioning the men. They say one was cooperative, but the suspect who had the purse took off running as deputies questioned him.

Authorities said they tried unsuccessfully to Taser the man. He cut through the parking lot of St. Henry Catholic Church, and according to police, began removing his clothing as he ran.

Deputies say they saw the man jump into the C-14 canal behind the church and swim out several feet before sinking under the water.

The deputy jumped in to try and rescue the man, but was unable to locate his body.

BSO's Dive Team located the man's body just after midnight on Monday. The deputy who went in after him also had to be transported to Broward Health North for swallowing some water.

The man was not under arrest when he ran, and was not handcuffed. BSO homicide detectives are investigating the incident.

The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office will determine his cause of death and identity, and detectives will notify his next of kin of his death.

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